Building



Dec. 9, 1952 s, SHANNON 2,620,903

BUILDING Filed Sept. 17, 1945 '5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. H S SHANNON Dec. 9, 1952 H. s. sHANNoN 2,620,903

BUILDING Filed Sept. 17, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F5 2 [:iy. 5

Dec. 9, 1952 H. s. SHANNON 2,620,903

BUILDING Filed Sept. 17, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ea 5! i 8 [as 32 34 3 j.

6 J J 8* as .92 42 us 915 I 92 2 h. S. SHANNON Patented Dec. 9, 1952 BUILDING Harold S. Shannon, Detroit, Mich., assignor to National Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application September 17, 1945, Serial No. 616,679

lClaim. 1

This invention relates generally to building structures and more particularly to prefabricated building structures.

It is an object of the present invention to pro vide new and improved prefabricated building structures including pre-assembled panel structures of a character to facilitate building erection and materially reduce cost thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide prefabricated and pre-assembled building structures of a character to eliminate the need of piece-by-piece erection of entire building walls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide prefabricated building structures of the above mentioned character in which the need for caulking between panels and elsewhere is eliminated.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the three sheets of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of my prefabricated building;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through an exterior wall of the building taken along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the exterior wall of the building taken along the line 33 of Figure 1 to include a window structure;

Figures 4 to 6 inclusive are fragmentary horizontal section views taken respectively along the lines 44, 5--5 and 6-6 of Figure 1 through an intermediate exterior wall post of the building.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 'l! of Figure 1 to show the structural relationship between an exterior wall panel and a window frame; and,

Figures 8, 9 and '10 are horizontal sectional views taken respectively along the lines 8-8, 99 and Ill-l0 through a corner post of an exterior wall of the building.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the building shown includes a supporting frame, Figures 1, 2 and 3, including outer channel members or grade beams l0 joined or secured together by laterally extending channel members or grade beams H. Although only one each of these grade beams H], H is shown in the drawings, it will be understood that the supporting frame includes a plurality of the beams Ill joined and secured together by a plurality of the spaced, laterally extending beams II to support the exterior walls of the building and also to support a floor I 2. The building further includes roof truss members 13 to the underside of which may be secured ceiling panels [4.

Supported by and secured to the outer frame members [0 are exterior wall, corner posts l5 and intermediate, exterior wall posts l6 which together support an upper structure, including a roof and provide for the securing of panels thereto. The upper flanges of the channel frame members H) are provided with clearance cutouts to receive the posts l5, [6 which, extending therethrough, seat on the lower channel flanges, as shown in Figure 2. The posts l5, l6 and their supporting channels may be welded together or a pair of three-sided brackets [8 may be provided to brace and secure each post to the supporting frame. These brackets l8 may be secured rigidly to the frame channel members 10 by nuts and bolts 19 or by any other suitable securing means.

Referring first to the construction of the corner posts [5 with particular reference to Figures 8, 9 and 10, these posts each preferably comprise four elongated preformed post sections 20, 2|, 22 and 23 which together cooperate in forming a hollow pentagonal post, as seen in cross section. Of these post sections, the section 20 forms the post exterior corner, having longitudinally extending side walls 24, normal to each other and parallel respectively to the side and end walls of the building. As shown, the corner post section 29 has longitudinal side edge portions thereof bent inwardly in the form of flanges 26, 21 such that they extend generally and substantially normal respectively to the post section side walls 24, 25. These flanges 26, 21 are of sinuous form horizontally and are complementary with like sinuous flanges 29, of the post sections 2!, 22. The post sections 2 I, 22 are of channel-like form, each respectively having a base 3|, 3| in coplanar relationship respectively with the walls 24, 25 of post section 20, thus cooperating with walls 24, 25 to form two sides of the corner post. The corresponding or complementary flanges 26, 21 and 29, 30 of the post sections 20, 2! and 22 are secured together, preferably such as by spot welding, the complementary flanges being spaced apart by spacer members 28 formed out of the flanges. These complementary flanges provide a nailing groove in each of the post corner walls for nailing panels to the posts, the nails driven into the grooves being deformed sinuously thus setting up frictional forces highly resisting the working loose of the nails. In addition to the side reinforcing flanges 29, 30 which in part form the nailing groove, the channel-like post sections 2|, 22 include outer side reinforcing flanges 32, 33 respectively which overlap and are welded to flanges 34, 35 respectively of the fourth post sec-.

tion 23. These overlapped flanges 32, 34 and 33, 35 form two additional sides of the post of which flanges 32, 34 are parallel to opposite side and flanges are parallel to opposite side 24. As shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the post section 23 includes a central wall portion 35 which forms the fifth side of the post and extending in a vertical plane perpendicular to a plane bisecting the corner of the room or post, serves as a finish panel corner strip. In order to cover the side edges of wall panels and to provide abutting shoulders 33 for the panels, the flanges 34, 35 of post section 23 are bent, as shown, at substantially right angles where they join with the finish panel strip 36 of post section 23. Thus, it will be seen that the corner posts comprise a plurality of secured together elongated preformed sections cooperating to form a hollow pentagonal shaped post completely enclosing the nailing groove flanges which form parts of the post sections.

Referring now to the construction of the intermediate posts It, shown in detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6, these posts, like the corner posts 15, each comprise preferably four elongated, preformed post sections 40, 4|, 42 and 63 which cooperate to form, in this instance, a four-sided hollow post. The post sections 40, 4|, 42 and 43, like the sections of corner posts [5, are made of sheet steel for rigidity and durability. As shown, post section is of channel-like form having a wall or base G5 provided with side reinforcing flanges 45, 4? which are horizontally sinuous to form parts of nailing grooves. On each side of the center section 49 is another channel-like post section each having a wall or base portion 48, 48 provided respectively with side reinforcing flanges 50, El and 52, 53, the inner flanges 5|, 53 being of sinuous form complementary to flanges 45, d! respectively to provide the nailing grooves within the post. Spacer members 44, formed out of the complementary flanges space them apart and at these spacer members the flanges are preferably welded together. The base portions 45, 48 and 49 respectively of the post sections 59, 4| and 42 are in vertical coplanar relationship and cooperate to form the front wall of the post while the sinuous flanges of said sections cooperate to form a pair of laterally spaced nail grooves opening through the front wall. Outer flanges 5B and E2 overlap respectively with similar side reinforcing flanges 53 of the post sections 53 providing double thickness side post walls. The side flanges 55 of the post section 43 join integrally with the inner wall or side 58 of post section 43 in a manner to provide longitudinally extending outwardly facing side shoulders 69 to cover the side edges of wall panels and to provide seating surfaces therefor. Preferably, inner post wall 58 is provided with a crown such that a convex surface is presented to the interior of the room and in this post wall is a centrally disposed retainer groove tl provided to receive and retain the side edge of a panel 63 of an interior wall or partition so that an interior partition may be erected at each of the posts [6, if desired.

In order to facilitate erection of the building to save time and consequently to save cost of erection, I provide pre-assembled panel structures ready as such for the final assembly without need of erecting the building piece by piece and further without need of caulking materials. In the present instance, there are tiers of horizontally elongated panels to form the exterior building wall comprising lower panels 65, intermediate panels 66 and upper panels 61. These panels are of a predetermined length except where windows are provided, to reach from one post to another to be nailed thereto.

The lower panels 65 each includes a board 5'! preferably of heat and sound insulating material having its upper and lower edges fitted respectively into metallic reinforcing channel members 68, 69 which are press-fitted thereon. Cemented, or otherwise secured to the insulation board 51, is an exterior, wood finish panel 1'0 and an interior, wooden finish panel 'El. Carried by and secured to the lower edge of the lower panel 65 is a metallic weather sealing and shield strip 12 which is preferably welded to the lower insulation board channel 69. With the lower panel 65 in position, supported by the frame channel member [0, the sealing strip "(2 is disposed between the supporting channel upper flange and the lower edge of the panel to seal the joint therebetween. In addition, the sealing strip is rounded, forwardly of the wall, extending outwardly and downwardly to the outer wall surface where it is flanged, as at T3, and secured such as by screws 14 to the channel l0. Thus, the sealing strip 12 both seals and covers the joint between the lower panel 65 and the supporting channel ID to provide a leak-proof joint therebetween. The sealing strip F2 also serves as a drip molding or shield to ward off rain from the panel joint. Continuity of the sealing strip I2 is interrupted at the intermediate posts 16 where, if desired, bridging strips '15 may be provided to bridge the cutouts for appearance and may be secured to the sealing strip by screws It.

Carried by and seating on the upper edge of the lower panel 65 is another sealing strip 11 which seats flat against the underside of and is preferably welded to the upper insulation board channel 68. This sealing strip 17, like the lower sealing strip 12, has a rounded or rolled, forwardly extending portion 18 which extends outwardly and downwardly toward the outer surface of the wall board '58 thus sealing and guarding the joint between the sealing strip 11 and edge of the panel from entrance of moisture.

Mounted on the upper edge of the lower panel 85, the intermediate row of panels 68 each comprises an inner heat and sound insulation board 79 having its upper and lower ends respectively received in metallic channel members 80, 8!, press-fitted tightly thereon. Cemented or otherwise suitably secured to opposite sides of the insulation board 19 is an outer wooden finish panel 82 and an inner wooden finish panel 83. Carried by the panel 65 on the lower edge thereof is a sealing strip 84 having a forwardly and downwardly extending rounded or rolled molding portion 85 which fits over and is complementary to the upper sealing strip 11 of the lower panel 65. These nested sealing strips ll, 84 terminate either side of the intermediate posts It and as in the previously described instance, continuity of the rounded strip portions may be had by securing a bridging strip 86 of similar configuration thereto.

Similiarly, a metallic sealing strip 87 is carried by the intermediate panels 66 on the upper edges thereof and seating flat against the upper surface of the channels is preferably welded thereto. Like the other, or above described sealing strips, the upper sealing strip 81 includes a forwardly extended, rounded or rolled edge portion 88 providing a guard or molding to shield the panel joints, against moisture. Also like the other sealing strips, the continuity of the rounded portion 88 is interrupted by the intermediate posts, where bridging strips 89 may be provided and screwed to the ends of the sealing strips 88 to give a finished appearance.

The upper panels 61 each include a sound and heat insulation board 99 having its lower edge retained in a metallic chanel' 9! which is tightly press-fitted thereon. In this instance, the outer face of the insulation board 99 is covered by a sheet metal panel 92 having an upper channel fitting over and tightly secured to the upper edge of the insulation board 99. At the lower edge of the lower retainer channel 9I, the metallic facing panel 92 is provided with a forwardly and downwardly extending rounded or rolled molding portion 94 which fits over and is complementary to the rounded portion 89 of the sealing strip on the upper edge of panel 99 to provide a good seal at the panel joints. Preferably, self-threading screws 93 are provided to secure the upper sealing strips together, and the metallic facing panel 92 may be spot-welded to the outer flange of the retainer channel M.

The building may be provided with any desired number of windows 95, 99, there being two of such windows shown in the present instance to illustrate how they are mounted as unitary structures in an exterior wall. Preferably, the Window 95 is located adjacent the corner post I and the window 99 at the intermediate post I5 at opposite ends of the center panel 69, as shown in Figure l. The window 99 comprises in general a window frame 91 for upper and lower sash and an inner trim frame 98 which may be welded, or be otherwise secured together, see Figure 3. Carried by and secured fiat against the underside of the window and trim frame, there is a sealing strip 99 having a forwardly and downwardly extending rounded or rolled edge portion I99 which is complementary to and fits over the sealing strip TI carried by and on the upper edge of the lower panels 95. Self-threading screws I9I may be provided to secure the sealing strips TI and 99 together, these screws preferably being screwed through the sealing strips rounded guard portions I8 and I99, as shown. Carried by and secured against the upper side of the window and trim frame, there is a sealing strip 91' having a forwardly and downwardly extending edge portion 88 over which fits the rounded portion 99. To the side of the window 95, which is adjacent the corner post I5, there is secured a wooden angle-like frame member I92 which is complementary with the outer adjacent corner of the post. This frame member I92 seats against the adjacent post shoulder 99. This wooden frame member I92 extends coextensive with the height of the window frame 9'! and may be secured to the sides of the window trim frame 98 by wood screws I93. One member, as at I94, of the angle wooden frame member I92 projects, as a tongue, from the side of the window structure to overlap the front wall of post I5 to which it is secured by nails I95 driven therethrough into the post nailing grooves, Figure 9. The other wall joining the corner post I5 has, as do all of the panels, a wooden finishing strip I99 for the edge of the insulation board and at the corner post, the outer wooden finish panel 82 is extended beyond the flush edges of the wooden finish strip I99 and the inner finish panel 83 to fit the post corner and so as to provide a tongue I9! for nailing the panel to the post.

A metallic corner finish panel I98 extends subv stantially the full height of the building and overlying or covering the panel tongues I99, I9? is secured thereto and to the posts by nails I95. Similarly the lower panels 65 are formed to fit the corner post I5 and be secured thereto by the nails I95, see Figure 10. In Figure 8, showing the upper panels 91 secured to the corner post I5, the outer metallic finish panel 92 and a strip II2 of the insulation board 99 are extended to provide tongues for nailing the corner finish panel I98 and the tongues together and to the corner post I5, the top flanges of the finish panel I99 preferably terminate, as at H3, at the sides of the post, see Figure 8. In Figure '7 is shown how the window may be secured by the screws I93 to the wooden finish strip I99 of the panel and how the window channel retainer frame 91 is provided with outwardly extending flanges I I4 along the side edges only to cover the joints and give a finished appearance to the structure.

The panel and window constructions at the intermediate post 99 and the manner in which they are secured thereto is substantially the same as the construction and manner of securing the window and panels to the corner post. For example, in Figure 4, an outer side edge portion I I5 of the insulation board 99 together with the outer metallic finish panel 92 are extended to fit the corners of post I9 and to provide tongues to lie against the front wall of the post and to receive nails I95 for securing the panels to the post. In the finished structure, the inner finish panels seat against the shoulders 69 of the posts with the end edges of the finish panels abutting the opposed side walls of the post.

In Figure 5 there is shown how the window 96 is secured to an adjacent side wall of the post I6 by the self-threading screws I93. Also, the panel 99' is extended, as at H9, to cover the entire front wall of the post IE to receive both rows of nails I95, the end of the panel 68' being overlapped by the outturned window flanges II4 to cover the joint and give a finished appearance to the structure. In Figure 6, the tongues II8 of the lower panels 95 meet substantially at the vertical center of post I6 where each is secured to the post by a row of the nails I95.

From the foregoing description it will now be appreciated that I have provided a new and improved prefabricated building structure of a character such that pre-assembled panel structures thereof may be readily and easily positioned in their respective predetermined locations at the site of erection of the building to erect the building quickly and economically. These pre-assembled structures comprising composite outer wall panels carrying sealing strips, window structures carrying sealing strips and the posts are erected as unitary structures to eliminate the erection of a building piece by piece. Furthermore, because of the sealing strips carried by the panels and window structures, the need of caulking material is eliminated, thus further reducing the time and consequently cost of erection. In addition, I have provided a new and improved post structure of the character having nailing grooves for nailing the panels thereto and one which completely encloses the nailing groove flanges so as to eliminate need for additional interior finish panels.

I claim:

In a prefabricated building, a supporting frame, spaced posts extending upwardly from said frame, two lower horizontally elongated panels supported on said frame and secured to said posts, a sealing molding strip carried by each of said lower panels on the upper edge thereof, each strip extending forwardly and rounding downwardly toward the outer surface 5 of the respective lower panel, an upper panel resting on each lower panel and secured to said posts, a sealing 'stm'p carried by each upper panel on the lower edge thereof extending forwardly and rounding downwardly complementary in form to the sealing strip on the upper edge of the respective lower panel, the sealing strips being horizontally aligned with a joint therebetween, and a. complementarily curved sealing member overlying the joint between the strips. 15

HAROLD S. SHANNON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are or record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,125,070 Daviee Jan. 19, 1915 1,379,516 Benjamin May 24, 1921 2,230,247 Henning Feb. 4, 1941 2,235,811 Davison Mar. 25, 1941 2,268,147 Hasenburger et al. Dec. 30, 1941 2,340,003 McDermott Jan. 25, 1944 2,347,756 Swens'on May 2, 1944 2,351,015 Davison June 13, 1944 

